The venue was Rashtrapati Bhavan.And the President Mrs Pratibha Patil's special guest from the film industry was Ranbir.
"Actually it was my Bua," Ranbir reveals gently. "We had gone to the President for the release of my bua (Ritu Nanda)'s book on my grandfather (Raj Kapoor).My dad who was shooting in Chandigarh also air-dashed to Delhi for the occasion."
Initially Rishi Kapoor wasn't allowed into the Prez's chamber. But when it was known that Ranbir's father was also present he was quickly escorted in to join Ritu Nanda and Ranbir.
24 hours after the experience, Ranbir still can't get overit. "With its hand-painted ceilings the Rashtrapati Bhavan is the most awesome architecture I've seen. And the Prez was so down-to-earth and friendly. She released by Bua's book and then spoke to us about cinema.
Would you believe it, she's seen the films of my great -grandfather (Prithviraj Kapoor), grandfather (Raj) and his brothers (Shammi and Shashi) and my dad. She spoke about my Dad's debut in Bobby and my debut in Saawariya."
The Prez expressed a desire to see Saawariya.
"Can you believe it! The lady's graciousness was infectious. And though there were so many ministers waiting for her attention she was completely focused on us while we were there," Ranbir can't stop marveling.
"Mrs Patil was specially impressed by the line Hum ne rahenge tum na rahoge rahengi sirf nishyaniyan from my grandfather's film Sri 420 which starts off my Bua's book."
After meeting the Prez, Ranbir has one wish added to his list. "I want to receive my first National award from her."
Subash K Jha
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